ABSOLUTE
PLEASURE
A darkly funny novel inspired by two decades of decadence,
debauchery and raucous misadventures across Sydney and
London—in relentless pursuit of pleasure at any price.
PLEASURE IS A BUSINESS
Inspired by true stories, Absolute Pleasure inhabits the pleasure dens where we let it all hang out, where desire becomes currency and the masks we wear come off.
From ecstasy-drenched ’90s dance floors, full-time party animal Robbie Hatcher hangs up his escorting robes after enduring a run of freaky UK assignments to manage Sydney’s Palladium gentlemen’s club.
How much pleasure can you handle?
LOLLY
PALLADIUM’S
STAR ATTRACTION
Lolly doesn’t just steal the show.
She owns it.
But how long can you stay on top as an adult performer?
ROBBIE
FORMER ESCORT, STRIP CLUB OPERATOR CUM BROTHEL MANAGER
Robbie knows a thing or two about pleasure.
Knowing when to stop is another matter.
BAMBI
HIGHLY INTELLIGENT CHAOS IN HIGH HEELS
Spy or stripper? She flipped a coin.
Tails. Palladium wins.
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY
GO WRONG?
Together, Robbie, Lolly and Bambi career headfirst into Sydney’s 24-hour 2000s nightlife: VIP excess, ravenous punters, free-pouring drinks, party pills, penthouse after-parties and beautifully functioning train wrecks.
For a decade, Robbie somehow keeps shit on the rails. Until Las Vegas.
In an attempt to redeem himself, he takes a sabbatical from the adult industry and becomes a marriage celebrant, but he soon returns as manager of The Den, a Sydney brothel presided over by the formidable Madam V—and straight back into the arms of his demons.
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LOOSELY BASED ON THE TRUTH
Author Pete Gately & protagonist Robbie Hatcher
Absolute Pleasure is fiction. The world behind it wasn’t.
For two decades, Robbie watched the money change hands, the champagne flow, the doors close and the masks come off.
Names changed. Venues disappeared. Memories blurred.
Robbie lived it. Pete wrote it. The truth had its chance.
ABOUT PETE
Pete Gately is an Emmy Award-winning producer and writer with more than two decades of experience across television, film, music and the arts in Australia, the UK, North America and South America.
His work has received major industry recognition, including Screen Producers Australia’s Interactive Production of the Year. Along the way there have been film campaigns, docos and music videos with the likes of Sonic Youth and the Beastie Boys; and taking a tango orchestra and dancers from the milongas of Buenos Aires to the stage at Carnegie Hall.
Raised on Gadigal Country in Sydney, Pete lived in Darlinghurst and
Bondi Beach. He now writes among the vines and coastline of South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, on Kaurna Country.
Absolute Pleasure is his debut novel.
OWN
ABSOLUTE
PLEASURE
PAPERBACK · eBOOK ·AUDIOBOOK
OUT 19 NOVEMBER 2026
Pre-orders open 29 October.
SIGNED COPIES AVAILABLE NOW
Order direct and have yours delivered for launch.
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